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3 Sheets--Sheet 1.

(MMM') Q H M BENNETT I ELEdTRIb TORPEDO BOAT. N0. 359,313. Patented Mar. 15,1887.

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3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

H. M. BENNETT. ELECTRIC TORPEDO BOAT.

No. 359,313. Patented Mar. 15, 1887.

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flwm A N. PETERS, Phclo-Lilhngrapher, wuhin wn. no.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC TORPEDO-BOAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 359,313, dated March 15, 1887.

Application filed February 6, 1886. Serial No. 191,015.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY MORDEN BEN- NETT, of Bournemouth, in the county of Hants, England, clerk in Holy Orders, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Torpedoes and in adapting the same for communicating with shipwrecked vessels, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention has for its object to provide a 13 means for communicating with and of convey ing a line, provisions, and life saving apparatus to a ship in distress.

The invention consists in the employment, for the purpose of establishing telephonic communication with and of conveying a life-line, provisions, and life-saving jackets, &c., to a ship, of a fish-torpedo similar to those used in naval warfare, except that it carries no explosive charge,the telephonic and lifesaving lines 2cbeing towed by the torpedo, and the provisions and other articles to be conveyed being stowed within the torpedo in the chamber generally reserved for the explosive charge.

The invention consists, further, in electric- 2 5 ally-controlled steering-gear actuated by the propelling-engines of the torpedo, the said gear being controlled by electric currents transmitted through a conductor towed by the torpedo, such gear being specially designed for use in existing torpedoes-such as the Whiteheadwhich are not controllable from a distance.

The invention further consists in a means whereby the electric steering mechanism may be readily applied to existing torpedoes with- 3 5 out alteration in the internal arrangements of the latter.

The invention further consists in a means of automatically stopping the propelling-engines of a torpedo upon the torpedo striking a ship,

so as to enable the torpedo to be handled and access to be had to the interior without danger ofinjury from the propellers.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification,

4. 5 wherein Figures 1 and. 2 are general views showing in longitudinal elevation and plan a torpedo provided with electrical steering-gear and to which a life-line and telephone-line are attached for conveyance to the ship. Fig. 3 is (No model.)

a detail sectional view of the head of the torpedo, containing the telephone, provisions, life-saving apparatus, &c., to be conveyed to the ship, the head being made detachable, to enable a head charged with explosive to be applied when the torpedo is required for war purposes. Fig. 4 is a general view showing a supplementary chamber containing steering mechanism as applied externally to an existing torpedo of the class usually unprovided with steering-gear. Fig. 5 is a general view showing a Lay torpedo as towinga life-line and telephone-line, as in the case of the torpedo shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal elevation, partly in section. Fig. 7 is a cross section on line 1 1, Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional plan on line 2 2, Fig. 6; Fig. 9, across-section on line 3 3, Fig. 6, of the electrically-controlled steering mechanism as designed to be disposed within the body of the torpedo, as in Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a plan of one set, and Fig. 11 an elevation of another set, of electro-magnets through which the steering mechanism is controlled. Fig. 12 is a longitudinal vertical central section, and Fig. 13 a part horizontalsectional plan, of the supplementary chamber to contain electrically-controlled mechanism and to be attached to the stern of an existing nonsteering torpedo in the manner shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 14 and 15 are cross-sectional elevations on lines 4 4 and 5 5, Fig. 13, respectively. Fig. 16 is an end elevation of the electro-magnets by means whereof the steering-gear is controlled.

The same letters of reference indicate the same or similar parts in all the figures.

Referring to Fig. 1, a is a life-line attached to a ring on the head of the torpedo in a position convenient for picking up by the shipwrecked crew. The said line is hitched over a hook, I), on the side of the torpedo amidships, and over a second hook, c, at the bottom of the torpedo near the stern, in order to prevent the strain of the line diverting the torpedo from its course. This line is paid out as the torpedo travels through the water by any convenient arrangement on shore, and by its means a cable attached thereto may be conveyed between the shore and the ship for the purpose of saving life, in the ordinary way.

The torpedo may be hauled back to the shore or the vessel from which it was discharged by a second cable, to be attached to the ring on the torpedo by the shipwrecked crew. cl is a telephonic line or cable, to which the usual instruments are attached, one set being contained in achamber at the head of the torpedo, to which access is had by a door in the shell of the torpedo. This telephonic line or cable is also hitched round the hooks I) c, and isalso paid out by any convenient arrangement on shore.

The steering mechanism employed in the torpedo, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2, may be of any suitable kind, but preferably that hereinafter described in reference to Figs. 6 to 11.

The torpedo shown in Fig. 5 is an ordinary Lay torpedo, and needs no description.

Figs. 6 to 11 represent electrically-controlled steering-gear, actuated by power derived from the propelling-engines instead of from a separate motor. 0 is the propelling-shaft, gearing through reversing mechanism, worm-gear, and a sort of differential bevel-gear with a tillershaft in direct connection with the tiller of the rudder, the reversing mechanism being under the control of electro-magnets, (shown in Figs. 12 and 13,) whereby the rudder is moved in one or other direction, as required, the motion of the mechanism and the travel of the rudder in either direction being limited by automatic disengaging-gear, all as hereinafter more fully described. The shaft 6 has a spur-wheel, e, keyed on it, which gears with a second wheel, 0', keyed on a shaft, f, mounted to revolve and slide longitudinally in suitable bearings. f f 2 are apair of opposite friction-cones turning with shaft f, and f 3 f are a corresponding I g g loose on the shaft.

pair of coned shells in one, with bevel-pinions The conesff f' f" and the bevel-pinions g g constitute the reversing-gear. lVith thesetwo opposite bevelpinions g 9' gears a bevel-wheel, 9, fast on a shaft, 9 mounted in a bearing, 1, and pro vided with a worm, h, which gears with a worm-pinion, i, on a shaft, '5, provided with a worm, 7a, which gears with a ring of wormteeth, It, on the periphery of the one Z of a pair of oppositely-beveled wheels, Z m, loose on the tiller-shaft n \Vheel m is also provided with a peripheral ring of teeth, m, with which an electrically-controlled pawl, m engages to hold said wheel stationary.

a is a bevel-pinion gearing with both bevelwheels Z m and carried by a radial arm, n, fixed to shaft a said arm being in one with a quadrant, 0, having two tappets, 0, between and in the path of which projects a lever-arm, p, on a shaft, 19, to which is fixed a lever, q, carrying the armatures of the electro-magnets by which the reversing-gear f f f' f and g g is controlled. The shaft 12 passes through a stuffing-box in the shell of the torpedo and is provided externally of the torpedo with a tiller or double-armed lever,

a whose ends are connected by two wires with the ends of the tiller proper of the rudder; or, instead of the tiller, the shaft may carry a rudder blade or blades. Onthe lever q is a lug, q-, engaging with a sleeve, q, loose on shaft f and confined between collars thereon, whereby angular motion of lever q is caused to slide shaftf longitudinally in its bearings, and so act on the reversing-gearin one of the ways hereinafter described, according as the lever q is operated electrically by the electromagnets or mechanically by the steering mechanism itself. 7

A A are a pair of electro-magnets, to which are presented armatures 1' 1', that are carried by the lever q, as before mentioned. These magnets are in separate shunt-circuits controlled by a pair of horseshoe elect-ro-magnets, B B, and an armature, s, between them. This armature s is a permanent magnet and is carried by a central guidebar, 5. To this armature is attached a contact-piece, t,in electrical connection with the coils of the magnets B. At either side of the contact-piece t is an insulated contact-spring, a, which springs both press against the contact t when in its central position; but upon the armature being attracted toward one or the other of magnets B by the passage of a current the contact with one of the springs to is broken. a are respectively connected with the two slmnt-circuits,in which are placed the two electro-magnets A A, so that one or other of these magnets will be thrown out of action, according as contact is broken with one or other spring a. The terminals 0 of the magnetcoils A are to earth through the skin of the torpedo and the water. The magnets B are in circuit with the line-wire 0 through a horseshoe electro-magnet, D, whose armature m is one arm of a bell-crank lever, whose other arm is the pawl m The action of the apparatus is as follows: On the passage of a current the electro-magnet D attracts its armature and throws pawl m into engagement with wheel m, which is thus held stationary. The armature s of magnets B B is attracted to one side or the other,

according to the direction of the current, and

contact broken with one of springs it, thus leaving only one of the magnets A A in ae- This magnet, by attracting its arma-.

tion is continued until one of the tappets 0 moves the lever-arm p, and thereby forcibly overcomes the attraction of the magnet A and moves lever q in the opposite direction to that in which it was moved by the magnet, this reverse motion disengaging the friction-clutch.

These springs The rudder, having been thus moved, is held by the mechanism in the extreme position; but, by breaking the current before the automatic disengaging-gear comes into action, the rudder is moved to aless extent. On the cessation of the currentthe pawl m is disengaged by a spring, (not shown,) and the wheel-m being free, the rudder, in whatever position it may then be, is at liberty to at once return to its normal position. By reversing the current the action of magnets 13 on their armature is reversed, and the other magnet, A or A, and consequently the other friction clutch, is

brought into action, thus reversing the motion of the rudder.

Referring to Fig. l and Figs. 12 to 16,.the electrically-controlled steering mechanism is very similar to that before described, and the letters of reference indicate in these figures similar parts, or parts fulfilling the same functions as those similarly lettered in the figures already described, so that it will be unnecessary to repeat the description thereof. E is a supplementary chamber, preferably in the form of a miniature torpedo. This chamber is rigidly attached to the tail end of the torpedo proper by four fiat arms, 00. e is the main shaft, mounted longitudinally in casing E and passing through astuffingbox and bearing at the front end andterminating in afork, c whose prongs pass between the blades of the rearmost screw-propeller of the torpedo, so as to be driven thereby, this shaft e thus virtually forming a prolongation of the propeller-shaft. This shaft is geared with the vertical shaft a, which corresponds to the yokeshaft before described, by mechanism which is precisely similar to that before described, and to which the same description and letters of reference equally apply, except that the shaft p and arm 19 are dispensed with and the tappets 0 act directly on the sleeve 9. This shaft a in the present case passes through stuffing-boxes and hearings in both the top and bottom of the chamberE and carries rudders y, which act together as one for the purpose of steering the torpedo. The arrange- 4 ment of the eleetro-magnets differs from that before described; but they fulfillthe same functions-that is to say, the magnet D acts on pawl m", as and for the purpose before described. The magnets 13 and polarized armature s throw one or other of the magnets AA out of circuit, and the one of them which is left in circuit actuates the friction-gear, all in the manner previously set forth, the action of the whole mechanism being precisely the same.

-In Figs. 1 and 2 is shown a means of automatically stopping the engines of the torpedo on striking a ship. :4 is a rod projecting in front of the nose of the torpedo and sliding in an eye, 2. It is jointed to a ring, 2", encircling and pivoted to the nose of the torpedo at This ring acts as a rock-lever, and is 0011- nected at z, by awire, 2 with the startinglever z of the propeller-engines, the end of which projects from the torpedo, so that when rod 2 is drive backward on striking an obstacle the engines will be stopped.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. The combination, substantially as specified, with a fish-torpedo, of a fish-shaped supplementary chamber rigidly but detachably attached to the tail of the torpedo proper, and having a shaft mounted in it which engages with and is rotated by the propeller or propeller-shaft of the torpedo, for the purpose of actuating steering-gear contained within said supplementary chamber, and controlled by electric currents transmitted through a cable towed by the torpedo, whereby a non-steering torpedo may be readily converted into a steering'torpedo.

2. The combination, with a fish-torpedo, of a fish-shaped supplementary chamber rigidly but detachably connected to the tail of the torpedo proper, of a long shaft mounted in said chamber, which engages with and is rotated by the propeller or propeller-shaft of the torpedo, and of electrically-controlled steeringgear contained within said supplementary chamber and consisting of friction-clutch, re Versing -gear, worm gear, differential gear, tiller or rudder shaft, and stop mechanism acting on the clutches of the reversing-gear, electro-niagnets and their armatures for th rowing the pawl of the differential gear into ac tion, for controlling the shunt-circuits, and for actuating the friction-clutchreversing gear, all substantially as herein specified, the said magnets being arranged in the circuit of an electric cable towed by the supplemental chamber.

3. Atorpedo steeringgear consisting in the combination of the friction-clutch-reversing gearfffiflf g g g", worm-gear ht k is, differential gear Z m m m n, and tiller or rudder shaft a, all combined and arranged for operation substantially as described, and represented in the drawings.

4. A torpedo-steering gear consisting in the combination of the friction-cluteh-reversing gearfff f f 9 9 1 worm-gear h t 7c differential gear Z m m m n, tiller or rudder shaft a", stop mechanism 0 p q q q", acting on the clutches of the reversinggear, all combined and arranged for operation substantially as described, and represented in the drawings.

5. The combination, with a torpedo-steering gear to be actuated by a constantly-revolving shaft, and consisting of the friction'clutehreversing gear f tof", g to g, worm-gear h i 1c, differential gear Z in m m n, and stop mechanism o p q g acting on the clutches of the reversing-gear, of electro-magnets O B A and their armatures, combined and arranged as described, the said magnets acting, respect- The above specification of my invention, 10 ively, the magnet G to throw pawl m into ensigned by me this 9th day of January, 1886. gagement with wheel m, the magnets B to con- HENRY MOEDEN BENNETT.

trol the shunt-circuits in which magnets A A Witnesses:

are placed, and the magnets A A to actuate CLEMENT 5N0. HAYDON,

the friction-clutchreversing gear through le- Solicitor, Bournemouth.

ver q q Q2, all these magnets being arranged ARTHUR WILLIAM JOY,

in the circuit of an electric cable towed by the CZerk to Messrs. Mooring, Aldridge d2" Hag don, torpedo, all as specified. 7 Solicitors, Bournemouth, Hcmts. 

